Missions fest was, to me, an excellent opportunity to expand my knowledge on a wide variety of topics concerning Mission, both here in Canada and abroad. When i entered into the weekend, I really didn't know what to expect, since I had never been to a "missions fest" before. Looking back at the weekend, I feel like I have actually grown in terms of knowledge of the Church's Mission, and how I am able to fit into that field. After we returned from Vancouver, I returned with a wealth of knowledge from the many seminars, general sessions, and Missions representatives we interacted with.
My favourite general session, the Young Adults Rally, consisted of some beautiful worship music and an excellent speaker; Luis Palau. Luis talked about his own life, touching on things like how his father died ("singing worship songs and praising God") and his banking job that preceded his work in ministry. His speaking was incredible! He was honest, authentic, and I felt like his central theme of "Are You Available" was actually applicable to my life as a young college student. One thing that I found absolutely incredible was the fact that Luis, at the prime young age of 78, was still as spry and active as he was; a goal I have is now to be like him when I'm that age.
Throughout the weekend, all of us Kalèo program students were given free reign on the countless seminars that the various groups put on. The first seminar that I went to was probably one that I liked the most, because it was on "When it's ok to be selfish. That seminar focused on the idea that the reason why most missionaries return from their field early is because the missionary is not looking after his/her own spiritual, emotional, and physical health. The teacher compared a missionary that is not emotionally/spiritually/physically etc. healthy to a flat tire on a car - you are just dead weight, and the team has to put more work into "fixing" you than you are putting into the team.
Over the weekend I also had a chance to interview a member of an organization called Loveworks, who focus on "finding tangible ways of using peoples talents and time to show Gods love in practical ways." The organization wants to raise awareness for international justice, most of the money they raise goes to help against injustice in Africa. The representative described how they work as, "helping people who are struggling to find meaning, help those who are struggling to find the means to live, when we do that something beautiful happens."
I feel like my understanding of mission has changed immensely after missions fest, before I did not put much thought into our work in Mission overseas. But now I have a much deeper understanding of how we are as Christians called to "go out into the world and make disciples of all nations." I feel that now that i have the understanding of the practical and Biblical foundations of Mission I will be able to move ahead in my life with more openness to the field of Missions.
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